The November 14 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks have led to numerous landslide dams being formed in North Canterbury and Kaikoura rivers and streams. Information on these landslide dams is available here. As a precaution it is strongly advised to keep away from all riverbeds north of the Waiau River in case there are any sudden releases of water.

Ashburton Zone Committee meeting

Published: 21/05/2012 2:02 p.m.

The Ashburton Zone Committee will meet at the Ashburton Council Chambers on 22 May for its monthly meeting.

At the meeting the main focus for the committee will be working with Environment Canterbury on progressing the implementation of its Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) for water management.

The ZIP was finalised in late 2011 to give effect to the goals in principles in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. It has since been endorsed by councils as the basis for the design and realignment of work programmes, for drafting regional plan provisions.

The committee will discuss how Environment Canterbury will implement the Land Use and Water Quality Components of the ZIP relating to the committee’s four priority outcomes;

Improved stream health

Nutrient management and water quality

Well informed community

Biodiversity, ecosystem, and braided rivers.

Another focus for the committee will be on receiving an update on regional infrastructure and a briefing from the Regional Committee, which is currently working on finalising its Regional Implementation Programme (RIP). The Regional Committee considers region-wide issues of environmental restoration and repair; land use impacts on water quality; as well as water, distribution, efficiency, and storage options.
The committee will receive a number of briefings on other local and regional water management issues including the draft Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP). Environment Canterbury made its working draft of the LWRP available for public feedback on its website in April.

The purpose of the LWRP is to identify the resource management outcomes or goals for managing land and water resources in Canterbury to achieve the purpose of the Resource Management Act (1991) (RMA).

The committee is also continuing to work with Environment Canterbury to progress the Ashburton flow plan, and expects to be able to consider a final draft at a special meeting on 11 June.

Confirming projects for Immediate Steps biodiversity funding will be another priority for the committee. Immediate Steps is a $10 million programme to protect and enhance native biodiversity values. The committee is responsible for local implementation of the programme.

More than $69,000 has already allocated to help fund community-led biodiversity projects. The committee has resolved to allocated its remaining funding to two priority areas –
1. Footlands and lowland forest streams and all wetlands along the inland margin of the plain
2. Coastal wetlands, dongas, hapua and steams from Wakanui Creek to Rangitata River mouth (not inclusive of the river mouth).

Tuesday’s meeting will conclude with the committee receiving a presentation from the Lake Clearwater Hutholders Association and discussing their concerns around the water quality of the lake.

The Ashburton Zone Committee is a joint committee of the Ashburton District Council and Environment Canterbury. The Ashburton zone extends from the Rakaia River to the Rangitata River and includes Ashburton, Rakaia and Methven.